UFC Vegas 114’s main event features a clash at featherweight between veteran Josh Emmett and rising star Kevin Vallejos. This 5-round bout pits the 41 year old looking to halt a two-fight skid against the 24 year old riding a perfect 3-0 UFC start at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Vallejos opens as a massive -550 favorite, with Emmett at +400 as the significant underdog. This featherweight showdown represents a potential last stand for Emmett while Vallejos looks to cement his status as a legitimate title contender.
Here’s how we’re betting UFC Vegas 114: Emmett vs Vallejos, including our UFC predictions, best bet, key props and an expert final verdict.
Mini Fight Info Strip
Event: UFC Vegas 114
Weight class: UFC Featherweight bout
Fight length: 5-round main event
Date & time: March 14, 2026 – Main card 10:00 p.m. ET, walk time ~10:45 p.m. ET
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Odds updated: March 11, 2026 – 8:50 AM ET. Lines may move before fight night, especially after weigh-ins.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats to Know
Before we get into the matchup, here’s a Tale of the Tape for Emmett vs Vallejos.
Tale Of The Tape
Josh Emmett
Kevin Vallejos
Record
19-6
17-1
Age
41
24
Height
5’6″
5’7″
Reach
70″
68″
Stance
Orthodox
Switch
Sig. Strikes Landed
3.72
5.78
Striking Accuracy
35%
46%
Strikes Absorbed
4.43
4.71
Striking Defense
60%
56%
Takedowns
1.08
0.71
Takedown Accuracy
37%
28%
Takedown Defense
43%
83%
Submission Avg.
0.1
0.0
Vallejos holds advantages in striking volume and accuracy. His switch stance creates angles against Emmett’s orthodox. Vallejos’s elite 83% takedown defense neutralizes Emmett’s limited wrestling threat. Also, the 17-year age gap creates massive physical disparity.
Fighter Breakdown – Josh Emmett Analysis
Emmett comes in with a 19-6 record but is on a troubling two-fight losing streak with losses to Youssef Zalal and Lerone Murphy. The 41 year old former title challenger holds notable victories over Bryce Mitchell, Dan Ige and Shane Burgos.
Strengths: Legendary knockout power with seven UFC KOs. Strong wrestling background from Menlo College. Durable chin with only two knockout losses. Former interim title challenger experience. Team Alpha Male training camp.
Weaknesses: Age 41 is ancient for featherweight. Two consecutive losses including first-round submission. Terrible striking accuracy at 35%. Poor takedown defense (43%). Recent submission vulnerability.
Betting Angles: Emmett’s +400 moneyline offers lottery ticket value only if power connects early. Emmett by KO/TKO (+800) provides massive payout.
Vallejos brings a 17-1 record riding a perfect 3-0 UFC start with knockout victories over Seung Woo Choi, Giga Chikadze and a decision over Danny Silva. The 24 year old Argentine is ranked #14 in the featherweight division.
Strengths: Extraordinary finishing rate with 12 career knockouts. Perfect 3-0 UFC record with three stoppages. Superior striking volume. Recent knockout of former title challenger Chikadze. Youth at 24 provides physical advantages. Elite 83% takedown defense. Switch stance creates angles.
Weaknesses: Only loss came to Jean Silva by decision. Limited UFC experience with three promotional fights. Absorbs high volume. Poor striking defense (56%). Minimal wrestling offense. Zero submission threat. First five-round fight brings cardio questions.
Betting Angles: Vallejos by Decision (+240) is our primary value play. Over 3.5 rounds (-108) appeals given five-round distance.
This offers excellent value for Vallejos’s controlled path to victory. While riding a three-fight knockout streak, Emmett’s legendary durability suggests scorecards in a five-round fight. Vallejos’s superior striking volume and accuracy creates perfect formula for accumulating rounds without taking knockout risks.
The 17-year age gap means Vallejos’s cardio should dominate championship rounds four and five where Emmett fades. Emmett’s iron chin survived wars with Calvin Kattar and Ilia Topuria. Vallejos’s only decision came against Danny Silva, showing patience when finishes aren’t available. At +240 (implied 29.4%), we project this outcome closer to 45%, offering tremendous value for the smart, controlled victory.
Emmett’s durability combined with five-round distance favors later action. His only knockout losses came to Desmond Green (2018) and Jeremy Stephens (2017), showing exceptional chin. Vallejos’s first five-round fight may create cautious pacing early while establishing rhythm.
Both fighters’ volume-based approaches suggest extended exchanges rather than early fireworks. Championship rounds favor Vallejos’s youth but require reaching those rounds. At -108 (implied 52%), this represents solid value for the fight extending past round three.
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Small stake only. Emmett maintains legendary power despite age with knockout of Mitchell showing one-punch danger. If Emmett connects early before Vallejos establishes rhythm, his experience could produce upset.
Vallejos’s 56% striking defense leaves openings for power shots. Emmett knocked out Michael Johnson in round three showing cardio for championship rounds. At +800 (implied 11.1%), this offers massive payout for the veteran’s last stand. Keep stakes at 0.5 units maximum.
Prediction – Final Verdict
Official pick: Kevin Vallejos by Unanimous Decision
We are backing Vallejos to extend his perfect UFC record with a clear unanimous decision victory, likely 49-46 or 48-47 on the scorecards. While Emmett holds legendary power, Vallejos’s youth, volume and five-round conditioning should prove decisive.
Vallejos should establish his striking volume early using superior 5.78 per minute output against Emmett’s declining speed. His switch stance creates angles that frustrate Emmett’s orthodox approach. Emmett will have success in rounds one and two with power shots, potentially stealing one round, but Vallejos’s superior cardio should take over in championship rounds.
We expect Vallejos to clearly win rounds 3, 4 and 5 as Emmett’s conditioning fades. The volume accumulation combined with cleaner striking should break down Emmett without forcing risky knockout attempts against his durable chin. Vallejos’s patient approach maximizes his physical advantages while minimizing Emmett’s one-punch danger.
This victory establishes Vallejos as a top-10 featherweight contender deserving ranked opposition while likely ending Emmett’s career at age 41 with a three-fight losing streak.
How to Bet UFC Vegas 114: Tips for This Card
Card Tips:
Vallejos’s 17-year age advantage and perfect 3-0 UFC record create overwhelming momentum edge.
Amanda Lemos vs Gillian Robertson co-main features Robertson’s three-fight winning streak.
Ion Cuțelaba vs Oumar Sy at light heavyweight offers finish potential.
UFC Vegas 114 Fight Card
Main Card (10:00 p.m. ET – Paramount+)
Josh Emmett vs Kevin Vallejos – Featherweight bout, 5 rounds Amanda Lemos vs Gillian Robertson – Women’s Strawweight bout, 3 rounds Ion Cuțelaba vs Oumar Sy – Light Heavyweight bout, 3 rounds Andre Fili vs Jose Miguel Delgado – Featherweight bout, 3 rounds Marwan Rahiki vs Harry Hardwick – Featherweight bout, 3 rounds Vitor Petrino vs Steven Asplund – Heavyweight bout, 3 rounds
Prelims (07:00 p.m. ET – Paramount+)
Charles Johnson vs Bruno Gustavo da Silva – Flyweight bout, 3 rounds Brad Tavares vs Eryk Anders – Middleweight bout, 3 rounds Chris Curtis vs Myktybek Orolbai – Welterweight bout, 3 rounds Bolaji Oki vs Manoel Sousa – Lightweight bout, 3 rounds Luan Lacerda vs Hecher Sosa – Bantamweight bout, 3 rounds Beatriz Mesquita vs Montserrat Rendon – Women’s Bantamweight bout, 3 rounds Elijah Smith vs You Su-young – Bantamweight bout, 3 rounds Piera Rodriguez vs Sam Hughes – Women’s Strawweight bout, 3 rounds
Odds current as of March 11, 2026.
(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)
I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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